"D-am-ian" Kayla mutters with cracks in her voice, devoid of any energy. Her body laid out flat on the brick floor of the alley. Her eyes lay upon his cold body, lying unconscious in front of her. With one last look, her eyelids starts to close up until darkness ones again engulfs her.
It felt like seconds when her eyes started opening up again. Her eyelids quivered as bright lights flashes into her eyes. She groans and blinks her eyes rapidly at the penetrating amount of light as she held her hand high above her face blocking the light. The blinding light suddenly gets weaker and weaker as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. She looks upward to see a circular ceiling lamp, probably the source of the light blinding her earlier. Her face then turn sideways as she eyes the space around her. There was a table in front of her with a basket of tropical fruits on it and besides her was a resting chair. The walls of the room was painted with a wooden finish on them. She elbows the surface to see it sink. She looks down to see that she was on a white bed. It didn't take her long for her to figure out where she was.
"Am I in a hospital?" She asks herself. She looks forward to see a clock ticking every second. She squints her eyes to see the time displayed. It was 12:34 p.m. It was noon. Then, her eyes bulge and she gasps before immediately throwing the blanket that was on her. She flips it over and looked at her stomach. It was wrapped in bandages but it doesn't seem to be serious. Somehow, it was devoid of any pain like it she was never injured in anyway. She took a sigh of relief before slouching down in her bed. Her ears suddenly perked when she can hear muffled voices outside. She turns her head to see silhouettes outside her room from the tinted window on the door. She can't make out what they say but it sounds like it was serious. She could make out a feminine voice and two males.
Suddenly, the door knob turned and the door open wide as the she saw who they were.
"Mom! Dad!" She was surprised when they rushed at her and hugged her. Her mom was crying tears of joy and hugged her tightly while her dad knelt in front of her and placed one of his hand on her shoulder as he uses the other to wipe the tears from his eyes.
"Thank the lord!" Her father praised still wiping his tears as her mother moistens her chest fur with her tears.
"It is a miracle, Ms Christling! You suffered some serious injuries but it healed overnight! It's something I never seen in all my years in this field! It truly is a miracle!" The doctor praised her while holding a clipboard.
"How?" She asked puzzled as she doesn't remember anything.
"I don't have the answer to that but even though your injuries miraculously healed, we had to do a blood transfusion as you lost a tremendously dangerous amount of blood. It seems you lost a lot of it during the attack last night..." The doctor explains to her pushing his glasses up.
"Last night... DAMIAN!!!" She recollected everything including the fact that he was the one who tried to protect her.
"Damian! Is he alright? Where is he?" She asks desperately at the doctor. Her parents held a puzzled look before turning at the doctor who then turned at her.
"Honey, who's Damian?" Her mother asks her holding her cheeks gently.
"He tried protecting me last night! Where is he?" She asks the doctor. The doctor gaped his mouth open and stammers.
"Umm, the only injured person last night was you. The cops managed to uncover a dead body belonging to a wolf and arrested a demon believed to be involved with the attack!" The doctor explains to her.
"Demon... that's him! That's Damian! He saved me!" Kayla squealed knowing that he survived.
Her father gave her mother a worried look.
"Kayla honey, are you sure this...Damian... isn't involved?" Her father asks.
"What? No!! He was my friend, we studied at the ZPA together!" She explains to them.
The doctor gave them a weird look.
"Please doc! He fought off that attacker to save me! He's no criminal!! He's my saviour!" Kayla begs at the doctor who sighs.
"Fine... I'll give the police a call. They'll get your statement and things will be sorted from there"
"Thank you, thank you doctor!" Kayla thanked him feeling really grateful for it.
"Don't mention it! Anyways, I have other patients to treat. Seems that your injuries are healed, I'm sure you won't have any trouble moving around. Though, I advice you to stay for the night until we can truly confirm the seriousness of your injuries." The doctor explains to them.
"Thank you doctor for everything!" Her father thanked him shaking his hand.
"Welcome, it's my pleasure Mr Christling but like I've said, I have nothing to be thanked for..." He says before leaving the room.
"I really hope he's okay!" Kayla prayed to herself.
"This...Damian... why haven't you mention him before?" Her mother asks her.
"Well, we... weren't exactly close back at the ZPA but I met him recently and he's very nice!"
"Honey are you sure he isn't involved? You know demons can't be trusted!" Her father warns her giving off a serious expression.
"No dad! He's different! I know it!" Kayla said to him. Her dad didn't respond to it.
"Well, I won't ask anymore questions then. Anyways, two people called Alan and Batricia stopped by earlier when you were unconscious. They brought some gifts for you." Her father showed her a weaved wooden basket containing a variety of tropical fruits.
"You're lucky ya know, loyal friends don't come easy!"
Kayla kept it in her mind that she would thank them later if she has the chance.
"Speaking of that, I guess we'll leave you on your own for now. Get some rest!" Her father suddenly spoke.
"Wait, you're leaving?" Kayla asks a little bit disappointed.
"No, your mother and I are staying for a while, we're just going to discuss something with the doctor but before that...
His father opens the door to reveal three figures. Kayla's eye immediately bulges when she saw their faces. The very faces she would see each day during her time at the ZPA.
There was a brown jackal wearing a brown coat and a pair of jeans, an orange fox wearing a purple scarf, a blue collared shirt and black slacks and a purple cat wearing a purple coat with a blue dress. Her parents left the room so she could have a conversation with them alone.
"Jack, Spam, Vanexa!" Kayla exclaims as she saw those familiar faces. She tears up seeing their face and even though it has been a long time, they haven't change a bit.
"Heya there Kayla!" Jack spoke in his usual awkward tone.
"Hi!' Spam said enthusiastically with a bright voice followed by Vanexa smiling at her maintaining her usual silence.
"I missed you guys!" She leaped at hugged all three of the together.
"Woah, easy there!" Spam said to her.
"Wouldn't want to frighten the little guy!"
"Little...guy?" Kayla asks confused. Spam giggles before moving to the side leaving Vanexa exposed. Kayla took a quick look at her and noticed something different.
"Vanexa, you're PREGNANT?" Kayla squealed in joy after seeing her inflated belly. Kayla went over to her and touched her belly gently. In her mind, she was elated, she was going to become an aunty.
"Wow, who's the lucky guy?" Kayla asks beaming and excited.
"That would be me!" Spam said joyfully. Kayla immediately freaks out.
"HOW?..WHEN?" Kayla asked.
"Well, it was three years after we graduated. She and I started dating and things got further from there." Spam explains.
"Did you know about this Jack?" Kayla asks him.
"Beats me! Just found out about it as well!" Jack shrugs.
"I'm sorry... we were keeping our relationship a secret... her mom wasn't exactly...keen on me being her boyfriend.." Spam's voice suddenly drops and carries a sad tone. Vanexa carves a worried look.
"So, we got married secretly and she moved in with me...I'm sorry for not inviting you guys to the wedding!" Spam said sounding regretful.
"Don't be!" Jack and Kayla said in unison.
"We're just glad you guys turn out okay!" Kayla said.
"Thanks guys!" Vanexa spoke thanking them.
"Life's been hectic and we've been through a lot but... I'm glad things turn out his way. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to welcome the twins to our world!" Vanexa said.
"Wait.. TWINS!" Kayla squealed even more excited.
"Yup! One girl and one boy! A little Spam and a little Vanexa!" Spam said rubbing her belly before kissing it.
"Wow! You guys are even married. Damn! Wish I was that lucky!" Jack said.
"Aww, come on Jack, don't be like that! I'm sure you'll find someone eventually!" Spam encourages him giving a playful nudge on his shoulder.
"Well... I hope so!" Jack says chuckling for a while.
"Speaking of that... is Zill here?" Kayla asks. Jack suddenly flinches before looking down. He carried a sad look on his face. Vanexa and Spam also copied the same expression. Kayla noticed this and her ears droop.
"I taken that means he didn't come..." Kayla said softly.
"Yeah... we tried calling him several times but he didn't pick up. I guess he's just busy...
Kayla looks even more disappointed not because she was still hoping but because he wouldn't even show up as a friend.
"But I'm sure he's also worried about you. I mean, it was all over the news!" Jack exclaimed pointing at the TV. The news broadcasted show the scene from the attack and the anchor discussed the details of the attack.
"Urghh, yeah! I couldn't catch a break! How did they even find out?" Kayla groans in annoyance by the fact that the press seems to always know everything.
"Well, you are a big star!" Vanexa replies to her.
Well, enough of that! How are you guys doing?" Kayla switched back to her joyous mood which definitely cleared some of the tension from earlier. The trio smiled feeling nostalgic about Kayla's usual energetic and talkative behaviour. They talked for a long time, catching up with each other.
"Wait... Spam proposed!!!" Jack asked shock.
"Yeah!" Vanexa replied shortly.
"Wow! That's certainly surprising!" Jack laughs.
"Hey! I'm not that bad!" Spam retaliated and pouted. The three of them laughed in response. This definitely brought back memories from the past. All their times together, seeing her friends together brought warm fuzzy feelings in Kayla's heart.
"So, Vanexa... you're working or...
"Yeah, she's an author! Well... part time! She also helps me with the house!" Spam said.
"That's great! Perhaps I could buy a copy of it!" Kayla suggested to which Vanexa reached for her handbag and took out a book.
"Here you go! It's a gift for when you get better!" Vanexa said handing her the book.
"Aww, Vanexy... you shouldn't have!" Kayla called her a pet name and hugged her to which she was uncomfortable about but she was used to it.
"Oh yeah! Speaking about that... the doctor said you were gravely injured but... it doesn't seem like you're injured at all!" Jack said.
Kayla lifted her shirt a bit and showed them the scar slashed across her stomach.
"Actually, I got slashed right here but... even the doctor didn't know how to explain it. Somehow, it healed overnight!" Kayla says sounding puzzled.
"We're really sorry for that Kayla!" Spam said pitying her.
"Don't be! It's not your fault to begin with! Plus, I'm feeling better already!" Kayla reassures him.
"Look Kayla, I'm not a total expert but it feels like this has something to do with demonic magic!" Jack said.
"Demonic...?" Kayla asks sounding puzzled.
"Yeah... somehow, your scar gave off a similar demonic aura like my curse thought it definitely feels stronger!" Jack explains.
"Damian?!!" She concluded in her head as she puts on a serious face trying to figure it out.
"Kayla, you're okay?" Jack asks her.
"Ohh, I'm fine. Just got distracted by something!" Kayla flinches but maintained her composure.
"Well, Damian did save me last night, maybe his scent or something latched onto me... I don't know" Kayla says sounding confused. Jack displays a look of pity on her face.
"Maybe it's better if we don't look further into it, don't wanna give ourselves a headache!" Jack suggested chuckling a bit.
"But is it true, did Damian really saved you?" Vanexa asks sounding unsure. Kayla sighs before giving a confident look.
"Listen guys, I know how Damian was with all of us back then. Yes, he did cause a lot of trouble here and there but the Damian I met a few days back was a different person. I can sense in his voice that he regretted everything, and somehow he's still looking of redemption. You might not trust him, I get it but.. trust me when I say that he almost gave his life to save me!" Kayla spoke valiantly trying to defend what she know is right.
"Well, I can't argue with that, though... not everything can be redeemed easily!" Jack says carrying poison in his tongue and malice in his words.
Kayla glances at him worried since it shows that Jack still kept his vendetta against Damian and with the way their pasts intertwined, she knew it would be hard for Jack to forgive him. Her mouth open wide to say something but her heart just let it hung open, words unable to flow from her throat. Soon, it closes knowing that whatever she'll say in the end, it would be between him and Damian and she doesn't have any say in the matter. She just hope that one day he'll open his heart for forgiveness. But deep inside, her heart says she should try..
"Look Jack, I...
Suddenly, a song plays loudly traveling throughout the small room. Beats and melodic tunes filled their eardrums. To Kayla, the song was no stranger as it was her own voice. Suddenly, Jack reaches for his pocket and took out his phone. He pressed on the answer button and held in near his ear.
"Hello, Jackson Wells here!" The others could here muffled voices speaking through sounding a bit electronic.
"What!! I'll be there in a sec!" Jack suddenly exclaimed loudly before ending the call and putting it back in his pockets. He then looked in front to gaze upon the sight of faces containing a mixture of confusion and humor.
"WHAT!! I said I was a big fan!" Jack says before all of them laughed in unison.
"Anyways, sorry guys but I have to split! Got a emergency back at the observatory!" Jack explains to them standing up.
"Oh yeah, what were you about to say Kayla?" Jack asks her.
"It's... nothing!" Kayla stammers as she think it would be better to let it slide for now.
"Alrighty then, I guess we should do the same as well!" Spam suggested but Vanexa shook her head not wanting to leave Kayla. Kayla then turns her gaze towards Vanexa.
"It's fine Vanexa, it's getting late anyway. You should take care of yourself and Spam!" Kayla giggles playfully to which Vanexa nods. She gives her a final hug before returning to Spam.
Jack went over to Kayla and hugged her as well.
"Hope we'll see each other again soon, Kayla!" Jack said to her as she enjoys the same old nostalgic embrace.
"Me too!" Kayla replies sad to see them leave.
"Thanks guys!" She waves at them one last time to which all of them waved back at her before leaving her.
Later that night,
"You sure you're good staying here by yourself?" Kayla's mom asks her in concern.
"I'll be fine mum! I've been living alone for the past 7 years. I'm sure 7 more hours in the hospital is fine!" Kayla reassures her.
"Yeah Sarah! You pamper her too much, she's all grown up! I'm sure she'll be able to handle herself for the night!" Kayla's dad retorts at his wife's protective behaviour.
"You suggested it sweetie, now you're blaming it on me!" Her mom fought back.
"No I didn't!" Her dad said.
"Well, I'm sure you didn't dad!" Kayla spoke sarcastically which caused her mom to giggle.
"Well, we should get going now! Good night Kayla!" Her dad says to her.
"Good night sweetie! Be safe!" Her mom told her softly hugging her one last time.
"I will mom! Good night!" She embraces her tighter. Soon, her parents left and there she was, all alone again.
Stars were twinkling as the moon was hung on the dark sky. It shone a very different light that sets up a different mood. Kayla held her head outside her window thinking of what happened this past few days. The wind blowing up on her face as her hair waves back at the wind. Soon after, she turns her back at closes the windows and retreated to her bed. She lies on the semi-soft mattress as she placed her head on the pillow. Somehow, her eyes couldn't shut close. She tries so hard but she just couldn't sleep. Her eyes just stares at the window with the curtains waving so idly. Her mind clouded with a sort of fear. She was afraid that all of this was a dream and when she sleeps, she would wake up back there at the alley on her impending doom. The events from yesterday still fresh and dancing in her mind.
She twists and turns but to no avail. Her body and mind won't just let her sleep. She suddenly brought her body up and rests her back on the headboard of the bed. She sighs wiping her face and groaning annoyed at herself.
KNOCK KNOCK
Her door suddenly banged twice. She shot her head towards the door and stares at it.
"Who is it?" She asks.
"It's me.." Someone answered from behind the door. Kayla's eyes immediately open wide as she dashes out of her bed and sprints to the door. She grabs hold of the knob and twists it hard, opening it with revealing a familiar face.
"Hey there Kayla!" Damian smiles at her with his usual grin. Tears flow down her face as she her mouth curved upward. She immediately went and hug him with yelps of relief escaping her mouth.
"I'm glad you're safe!" She said with muffles as lumps forms in her throat.
"Owowow, don't hug me too tightly!" Damian yelps in pain as she was basically crushing him with her worries.
"I-I'm sorry!" She apologises as she steps back and wiped some tears of her eyes. She then got a good look at him as she eyes him up till down. His body was a bit bruised as his face was a bit swollen and she could see frizzled fur on his arms marking injuries.
"Damian, you're injured!!" She gasped at him covering her mouth with both hands.
"Yeah... can I just...lie down..?" He says weakly as he crashes his body on the bed.
"I'm sorry for barging in like this!" He apologises to her.
"Nono, it's fine!" Kayla says as something was bothering her about him. She soon opens her mouth on it.
"Damian, didn't they give you any treatment for your injuries? You're badly hurt!" She says with a hint of pity in her voice.
"Th-they did but I refused"
No! She wasn't going to believe that.
"Damian.. tell me the truth!" She says looking at him deadpan in the eyes. Damian just couldn't escape her gaze and sighs.
"It's nothing to get hold up on! He says which confirms her worries. She frowns at the sort of treatment they gave him.
"Now that's just not fair!! You saved me, why did they treat you like that?! You're even injured from the attack!!" She fumes at them crossing her arms as she paces around the room with her arms crossed.
"Ye-yeah!" He says sounding unsure. Kayla grew even more worried at the tone of his voice. She stops her mindless pacing and knelt in front of him. She looks at him with a worried expression as she places her hands on his cheek and directs his vision to her. Damian could see her eyes trembling as she could see a reflection in her eyes.
"Damian... tell me... who did this to you?"
Damian's eyes shot again but he looks away.
"It was just the guy from yester...
"Damian..
Her voice sounded so hurt, his eyes couldn't resist as it met hers again.
please.."
He sighs before looking at her with a serious look.
"They needed to interrogate me because of the attack. They thought I was with that wolf-dude so when I told them what happened they refused to believe me and they...
Kayla looks at him with horror reflected in her eyes.
"How could they?" She gasped at the sick thing they did.
"Look it doesn't matter alright!" He shook his head and told her.
"As long as you're alright!"
"No Damian, this isn't fair for you!" She fought back.
"What they did isn't fair!!" She says with anger in her voice.
"I mean... it's obvious, I'm a demon after all!" He chuckles lightly at her. He face displayed that of someone contempt with his fate. Suddenly, something spiked inside Kayla. A sudden intruding thought. She bit her lips at the thought. People think of him as a monster, something she used to think of him, something she was afraid off. Everyday at the ZPA, and here she was protecting him like a saint when she was also the person that cause a similar pain.
She weeps covering her mouth trying to hold the stifles of pain and sorrow from escaping. Suddenly, his eyes went wide at a sight. Her tears. It was dark, flowing liquid...
Kayla noticed it as well as she rubs her eyes.
"What.." She mutters to herself at the sight of it.
"I'm sorry Kayla! I had no other choice!" Damian suddenly said to her which caught her by surprise.
"What do you mean?" She asks him as she rubs her eyes and observes her dark tears.
"You were dying, the only way to save you was by...
"By what Damian?" She asked him softly.
...by transferring my life force to you and I think somehow in a way that makes you...
"Part demon..." She connects the dots.
"I'm sorry!!" Waves or regret flooded his voice as he croaks.
"I turned you into a monster...like me..." He says as he buries his face between his knees.
"You are not a monster Damian! I was... all those times back then... Don't ever call yourself that cause without you I wouldn't be alive..." She went and hugs him.
"Listen... I can live with different tears, only cause you made it happen! You saved me, you're my hero!" She says directly in front of his face. He looks at her with hope, with determination that he did something right for once.
"Thank you Kay..." Suddenly his lips was blocked by her finger.
"No Damian, thank you!" She says as she closes her face to his forehead and planted a kiss there. Damian could feel her warm aura engulfing his head. It sends shivers down his body as it made him feel something he never felt before. It was love, and friendship. Both of them continued to hug for a while neither willing to let each other go.
After a while,
"So... does that mean I can have cool superpowers like you?" Kayla asks him playfully while sitting on the edge of her bed as she swings her legs back me forth.
"I don't know... it's the first time I've ever done it.. I wasn't even sure it works but I glad it did!" He says to her.
"Kayla, are you fine having my blood run in your veins? Aren't you afraid?" He asks her.
"Damian, you're a friend. Having someone's blood, a person that cares for me and having his blood in me, I'm grateful for it and I'm not even a little bit scared cause in the end, you're just another person!" Kayla explains to him. He chuckles at her.
"Well...I'm glad if you say so..." Damian breathes a sigh of relief. Suddenly, something came up in him.
"Oh yeah! Almost forgot!" He snaps his finger and a bottle containing red liquid appears.
"You brought... wine?" She asks him.
"Yeah!! Seeing how you're okay, isn't it best to celebrate?" He says as he uses his powers to tilt it mid-air as the red liquid pours itself into two wine glasses. He took one of it and hands it to her. Kayla giggles before taking it. She twirls the glass a bit causing the liquid inside to from a vortex before taking a whiff from it. It smells heavenly and expensive. Suddenly, Damian raised his glass.
"To you for getting better!" He toasts. Kayla smiles before toasting herself.
"No, to us for surviving one hellish night!" She says.
"Well, can't argue with that!" He says as they clashed their glasses and both of them took a sip. Kayla enjoys the fruity yet bitter taste of the wine and the alcoholic aroma surrounding it while Damian gags at the taste.
"Wow, this taste like sh*t!" He says.
"I like it!" Kayla exclaims.
"Well, it's yours anyways!" He says as he placed the bottle on a desk next to her bed.
"Anyways, it's getting late! I probably should get going!" He says to her as he stands up and opens her window. He leaps on it before looking back at her.
"See you later alligator?" He says it awkwardly at her. Kayla laughs as she appreciates his efforts in making her feel better.
"In a while crocodile!" Kayla says. Damian then jumps off before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Kayla rests hee shoulders on the window as the same breeze collides with her face. Same but somehow it feels entirely different. She took a sip of the red wine reminded of Damian's crimson fur, reminiscing of him. Suddenly, she blushed at the thought of him.
"What's happening to me?" She asks herself
Then, she lies back on her bed and finally, her eyes was able to seal shut as she drifts off in the land of dreams.
Tonight, both of them faced their demons, both of them finds themselves in each other. What awaits them in the future? Only fate will tell, an entangled fate between Kayla and Damian.
A/N: Thanks for watching, this took a while but I managed to get it out. Feel free to check out my other fic "Chance" if you have the time. Anyways, appreciate the support and thanks to all those who read this. Enjoy and I'll see you in the next one. Peace!!!